What followed next made the class collectively forget to breathe.
Professor Joe calmly explained the terrifying details of zombie dogs, Lickers, infected crows, and other mutated monsters hiding within Forbidden Zone #2.
By the time he finished, the atmosphere in the lecture hall had shifted completely.
This was only Zone Two?
How horrifying would the higher-numbered zones be?
Most of the students sat stiff and pale, dread written all over their faces.
Except for one.
Vincent Fox.
His expression remained steady. Not a hint of panic or fear touched his eyes. On the contrary, the more he heard, the more confident he seemed.
Because now he was certain.
Forbidden Zone #2 wasn't just some random horror world.
It was Resident Evil.
Not the game version, but the live-action movie universe. And the textbook's depiction of the Licker had confirmed it.
Just then, a girl sitting in the back of the room raised her hand, unable to hold her question in any longer.
"Professor, is Forbidden Zone #2 really filled with so many dangerous creatures?"
Professor Joe replied without a moment's hesitation.
"These are not exaggerations. Every image and record you've seen was compiled through the blood and sacrifice of real soldiers. Do you think the government would bother faking something like this?"
"But... isn't this only Zone Two?" the girl pressed, clearly unnerved. "If it's already this dangerous, how is this a beginner-level zone?"
Professor Joe smiled faintly.
"What's the matter? Regretting your decision already?"
His eyes swept across the classroom, pausing on each face.
"They're called 'Forbidden Zones' for a reason. If they were safe, they wouldn't be forbidden in the first place."
"If any of you are too afraid, this is your last chance. You can still choose to drop out."
Silence followed.
Some students shifted in their seats. A few exchanged worried glances. But no one stood up. No one moved.
After all, who would refund that outrageous tuition?
Everyone here had come to this academy because they were unwilling to live average lives. They had chosen to gamble everything for even a sliver of power.
Seeing that no one backed out, Professor Joe nodded.
"In truth, zombies are the most common threat in Zone Two. The more dangerous variants I mentioned are relatively rare. You'd only encounter them if your luck is truly awful."
"As long as you stay alert and avoid drawing too much attention, the odds of encountering those creatures are low."
"And even if you do, it doesn't mean death is guaranteed. It depends on how you respond in the moment."
He tapped the chalkboard once, then added in a firmer tone.
"That's all for today's introduction to Zone Two. When you return to your dorms, I want you to thoroughly study your manuals. Memorize as much as possible. In one month, you'll be stepping into the zone for real. Once you're inside, the only thing protecting you is what you've learned."
"And one last thing. The manuals you're holding are classified documents. They are not to leave campus under any circumstances. If anyone is caught leaking or losing their copy, you will be held personally responsible. In one month, they will be collected."
"In the next class, we'll begin covering survival strategies. Class dismissed."
With that, Professor Joe packed his materials and left the room.
As soon as the door closed, the classroom exploded with noise.
"Zone Two is way more dangerous than I expected!"
"You're just realizing that now? Do you know how many people die in these zones every year?"
"If I'd known it was this intense, I might have reconsidered enrolling."
"Well, he did say it's not too late to drop out..."
"If Zone Two's already like this, what kind of monsters are hiding in Zone Three?"
"I finally get it now. Our high school teachers were right. If you fail the Hero Sync Test, you're basically done for. Without a hero's ability, these zones really are deathtraps."
"I don't care how dangerous it is. I'm not backing out. If I quit now, what's left for me? Manual labor? A dead-end job?"
"Exactly. I'd rather risk my life in a Forbidden Zone than live the rest of it slaving away for someone else!"